Liverpool v West Brom: Match Report

Luis Suarez smashed a hat-trick against West Bromwich Albion as Liverpool eased to an emphatic 4-1 victory which moved the Merseysiders into second place in the Premier League table.

A majestic display from the Uruguayan striker and at full-time he left down the tunnel with the match-ball clenched under his arm. This performance today just shows the true qualities of the Suarez and Daniel Sturridge partnership known as the ‘SAS’.

Suarez’s first goal was a sensational solo strike as he tricked his way past two defenders and he then doubled his tally with a bullet header before completing a thoroughly deserved haul on 55 minutes when he guided home a header from skipper Steven Gerrard’s brilliant free-kick.

James Morrison converted a spot kick late-on before Sturridge completed the rout with a glorious chip from 20 yards out.

Frustrated from being denied a penalty inside 10 minutes after coming together with Gareth McAuley, Suarez soon put things right when he gathered the ball from 25 yards, drifted past Claudio Yacob, nutmegged Jonas Olsson and then fired a delightful shot past Boaz Myhill at the near post.

Next the Uruguayan played a good one-two with Ally Cissokho down the left wing before he directed the Frenchman’s cross past Myhill with a powerful header that hammered the top corner of the net.

After that moment of magic from the 26-year old it was only a matter of time before he completed a hat-trick, first he curled a free-kick wide and then had a goal-bound shot blocked away by Olsson.

But Suarez didn’t have to wait for long in the second half, 10 minutes in he could make no error when glancing a header past the keeper from Gerrard’s free kick.

If Suarez had his sights set on the record books, this victory would even measure for revenge for the Reds as the club had lost their last three matches against West Brom.

Morrison pulled one back for the Baggies with a controversially given penalty but Sturridge ended all hopes for the away team 15 minutes before time with an excellent placed chip which sailed over Myhill to give Liverpool a fourth goal and the three points.

The only negative for Brendan Roger’s side is the club have failed to keep a clean sheet since September 1. Suarez has now scored 36 goals in his past 46 matches for Liverpool, not only does this genius striker deserve praising it was also a magnificent performance from the returning Lucas Leiva in the midfield.

The victory from the Reds over West Brom has kept the pressure on Arsenal at the top of the league and now the two early frontrunners face each other in an eagerly anticipated clash at the Emirates Stadium next Saturday.